-Mongrel- Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 As it says in the title really. I'm looking for a shotgun primarily for breaking clays but with the remote possibility that it may be called into action for a bit of wildfowling. I've been advised by a seasoned shooter to look for 30" barrels for the clays, however, I'm unsure as to why this is and what the potential drawbacks (if any) are. I can't imagine that 2" would make that much difference either way for either use? Feel free to put me right, but please edumacate me as to why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twitchynik Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Depends on you and your shooting style really. See what your coach says or if you haven't seen one do it and he'll narrow it down for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick1964 Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 (edited) The usual rule of thumb is 28" - 30" for game, 30" - 32" for clays. 30" is a good compromise to start with, you'll upgrade from your first gun soon enough anyway ! Edited July 28, 2011 by Patrick1964 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Try both, some prefer shorter barrels others longer the weight will have an effect a heavy 28" and a light 30" can handle totally differently or very similarly for odd fowling more important is probably being proofed for high performance steel shot and 3" chambers! Also suggest Multichoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 It can be down to a personal preferance, go down to a gun shop try the same gun in 28" & 30" or even 32" to see what feels best to to you, if you can test fire both all the better. If you are after a semi auto a thing to bear in mind, is that a 28" semi is equivelent to a 30" o/u or s/s. My own preferance is for 30" multi choke barrels in both clay and game guns, and in a semi 28". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted July 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Trouble is that I'm inexperienced with shotguns so don't really know what I want/need. I'm still developing a style, it changes on a pretty much weekly basis! It's one of the reasons that I'm looking at cheaper guns, I can't see the point of spending bucks on something that won't fit properly once I do start to find a consistent style. I'm just trying to find a sensible, middle of the road gun that won't put me at a disadvantage one way or another. I'm currently using a friends Beretta, but it's obviously short in the stock for me and is therefore creating issues with consistent mount, but other than shouldering it and seeing how it sits and feels I'm at the mercy of the 'experts'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Personal preference really.Sporters were 28" at one time,then someone brought out a 30",then it was 32" and now there are even longer barrels.Marketing sales gimmick?If you can't hit a target with 28" barrels,getting longer ones doesn't mean you'll hit it either. Longer(and therefore theoretically heavier)barrels are supposed to 'swing' better,but I don't know if there's much in it.I have shotguns with 26" and 28" barrels,but hardly shoot clays anymore,but I certainly don't feel at a disadvantage whenever I do,even at DTL.The 26" is a beaut to shoot. Try as many as you can,and see which suits you best,regardless of length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Trouble is that I'm inexperienced with shotguns so don't really know what I want/need. I'm still developing a style, it changes on a pretty much weekly basis! It's one of the reasons that I'm looking at cheaper guns, I can't see the point of spending bucks on something that won't fit properly once I do start to find a consistent style. I'm just trying to find a sensible, middle of the road gun that won't put me at a disadvantage one way or another. 2 Things !!! Get some decent lessons will save you lots of money in the long run! Buy something you can easily sell without a big loss that means a Browning Beretta Miroku and probably a 30" sporter I would say book some lessons and see what the coach suggests fit wise if it happens to be a £200 Baikal then great if it needs to be a £800 Browning then so be it! dont rush to buy but also not great shooting a gun that doesnt fit well! as you'll form bad habits that are hard to break! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Every one has their own preferred option. Personally i like to use a 28" for everything (even clays), but some like to use upto 32" but some go as low as 26" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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